NURS 615: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics –
Maryville University – Exam Questions and
Answers 2025 (Comprehensive Study Guide)
Introduction:
This document provides a complete collection of exam questions
and detailed answers for NURS 615: Advanced
Pharmacotherapeutics at Maryville University for the 2025
academic year. It covers essential pharmacological concepts
including antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, respiratory
medications, gastrointestinal agents, diuretics, and anticonvulsants.
The material is structured in a question-and-answer format, ideal
for nursing students preparing for exams or clinical pharmacology
assessments.
Questions and Answers:
What patient population should tricyclic antidepressants be used
cautiously in? -Answer:-Heart Disease patients
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a MAOI. What teaching needs to be done
with this medication? -Answer:-He should not use serotonergic
,drugs like Imitrex. Also, this class of medication interacts with
yogurt, sour cream, soy sauce, etc.
Phenelzine (Nardil) may cause what if there is an interaction with
known contraindicated foods? -Answer:-Hypertensive crisis
What are the side effects of tricyclic antidepressants? -Answer:-
Anticholinergic type effects like dry mouth, sedation, constipation,
increased appetite, blurred vision, tinnitus, euphoria, mania
How long does it take for SSRIs to take effect -Answer:-2-6 weeks
SSRIs may cause what onset of action symptoms? -Answer:-
Nausea, but this will usually resolve in a week.
What is one thing you should not do with SSRIs? -Answer:-Drink
alcohol
What should happen when going off an SSRI? -Answer:-Wean
slowly, do not stop abruptly
,What medications would a patient with depression and anxiety
respond well to? -Answer:-Buspar and an SSRI combined
Celexa (Citalopram)
Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Why should you combine an SSRI with Buspar? -Answer:-Buspar
augments the SSRI and is a good combo for anxiety and
depression
What is a first line drug for mild to moderate generalized anxiety
disorder? -Answer:-Buspirone
How fast does Celexa start to demonstrate effects? -Answer:-
Improved appetitie and concentration in 1-2 weeks.
What is a major drug to treat bipolar disease? -Answer:-Lithium
Blood levels need to be monitored with Lithium because why? -
Answer:-Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range so it is
important to recognize toxicity
, What are symptoms of lithium toxicity? -Answer:-Drowsiness and
Nausea
What dietary teaching needs to be done with patients taking
lithium? -Answer:-Salt intake needs to be consistent
What are the side effects of SSRIs (selective seratonin reuptake
inhibitor)? -Answer:-N/V, dizziness, light headedness, dry mouth,
increased sweating, weight changes, agitation, sexual side effects.
What are the side effects of SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitor) -Answer:-Headache, somnolence, dizziness,
insomnia, nervousness, dry mouth, constipation, abnormal
ejaculation, anorexia/weight loss, elevated BP
What are the side effects of MAOIs? -Answer:-Insomnia, anxiety,
agitation, dizziness, headache, restlessness, hypotension, dry
mouth, blurred vision, constipation
What Benzo has the greatest likelihood of dependence? -Answer:-
Xanax /alprazolam
Maryville University – Exam Questions and
Answers 2025 (Comprehensive Study Guide)
Introduction:
This document provides a complete collection of exam questions
and detailed answers for NURS 615: Advanced
Pharmacotherapeutics at Maryville University for the 2025
academic year. It covers essential pharmacological concepts
including antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, respiratory
medications, gastrointestinal agents, diuretics, and anticonvulsants.
The material is structured in a question-and-answer format, ideal
for nursing students preparing for exams or clinical pharmacology
assessments.
Questions and Answers:
What patient population should tricyclic antidepressants be used
cautiously in? -Answer:-Heart Disease patients
Phenelzine (Nardil) is a MAOI. What teaching needs to be done
with this medication? -Answer:-He should not use serotonergic
,drugs like Imitrex. Also, this class of medication interacts with
yogurt, sour cream, soy sauce, etc.
Phenelzine (Nardil) may cause what if there is an interaction with
known contraindicated foods? -Answer:-Hypertensive crisis
What are the side effects of tricyclic antidepressants? -Answer:-
Anticholinergic type effects like dry mouth, sedation, constipation,
increased appetite, blurred vision, tinnitus, euphoria, mania
How long does it take for SSRIs to take effect -Answer:-2-6 weeks
SSRIs may cause what onset of action symptoms? -Answer:-
Nausea, but this will usually resolve in a week.
What is one thing you should not do with SSRIs? -Answer:-Drink
alcohol
What should happen when going off an SSRI? -Answer:-Wean
slowly, do not stop abruptly
,What medications would a patient with depression and anxiety
respond well to? -Answer:-Buspar and an SSRI combined
Celexa (Citalopram)
Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Why should you combine an SSRI with Buspar? -Answer:-Buspar
augments the SSRI and is a good combo for anxiety and
depression
What is a first line drug for mild to moderate generalized anxiety
disorder? -Answer:-Buspirone
How fast does Celexa start to demonstrate effects? -Answer:-
Improved appetitie and concentration in 1-2 weeks.
What is a major drug to treat bipolar disease? -Answer:-Lithium
Blood levels need to be monitored with Lithium because why? -
Answer:-Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range so it is
important to recognize toxicity
, What are symptoms of lithium toxicity? -Answer:-Drowsiness and
Nausea
What dietary teaching needs to be done with patients taking
lithium? -Answer:-Salt intake needs to be consistent
What are the side effects of SSRIs (selective seratonin reuptake
inhibitor)? -Answer:-N/V, dizziness, light headedness, dry mouth,
increased sweating, weight changes, agitation, sexual side effects.
What are the side effects of SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitor) -Answer:-Headache, somnolence, dizziness,
insomnia, nervousness, dry mouth, constipation, abnormal
ejaculation, anorexia/weight loss, elevated BP
What are the side effects of MAOIs? -Answer:-Insomnia, anxiety,
agitation, dizziness, headache, restlessness, hypotension, dry
mouth, blurred vision, constipation
What Benzo has the greatest likelihood of dependence? -Answer:-
Xanax /alprazolam
